Fleming College: Learn | Belong | Become

Program Highlights

Natural Resources Law Enforcement is a career that appeals to people who enjoy outdoor pursuits - who have a balanced approach to consumption and conservation. In this program, our mandate is to prepare field ready, entry-level natural resources and environmental law enforcement officers. You can really make a difference. This is a challenging program with a heavy workload that is intended for serious students entering a competitive field.

Natural Resources Law Enforcement is about regulating the use of natural resources, and accountability for activities that have an adverse effect on the environment. Examples of regulated activities include fishing, hunting, logging, aggregate extraction, alteration of fish habitat, the use of public land, and the discharge of pollutants.

This one-year, two-semester post-graduate program will prepare you for a variety of positions in the field, with a well-rounded selection of courses offering a good blend of practice and theory. You will be trained in such areas of study as procedural law, fish and wildlife enforcement, lands and environmental law, investigation techniques, forensics, and conflict management and avoidance. In your first semester, your learning will be enhanced through a fall camp, situated in a wilderness setting.

Word from the Workplace

"Fleming's Natural Resources - Law Enforcement program gave me the knowledge to pursue my career as a Conservation Officer. This in-depth law program offers not only valuable classroom instruction, but much needed practical training, which I apply every day in the field. Along with dedication and hard work, I feel that the program gave me the tools and experience to succeed in my career."

Sean Cronsberry
Conservation Officer, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Why Choose Fleming?

There are only three Natural Resources Technology-Law Enforcement programs in Canada, and this is the only program offered at the college level. All faculty members have current and extensive field experience, and share their passion for the career - as well as their experiences - with students.

What it Takes to Succeed

Besides a balanced approach to the consumption and conservation of resources, you should possess:

• skills/confidence working in the outdoors
• physical fitness
• time management skills 
• fish and wildlife identification skills
• motivation to face challenges
• conflict resolution skills; team player

Students require basic computer skills including e-mail, word processing, file management and internet web browsing. It's an asset if you have experience in and enjoy hunting, trapping, and fishing, have outdoor skills, and a knowledge of firearms.

Career Opportunities

There are plenty of seasonal opportunities for graduates to start with, and as they develop experience in the field, full time or more permanent employment is likely. Recent graduates have landed a variety of positions, including:

• Conservation Officer (Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Yukon)
• Fishery Officer (Department of Fisheries and Oceans)
• Environmental Officer (Ministry of Environment, Environment Canada)
• Wildlife Officer (Environment Canada)
• Watershed Enforcement Officer (Conservation Authorities)
• Park Warden (Ontario Parks, National Parks)

Conservation and environmental officers' salaries in Ontario range from $60,000 - $85,000 annually. In particular, women and other under-represented groups are encouraged to apply to the program - there are many opportunities for you.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Ontario College Diploma or a university degree in an Environmental Sciences or Natural Resources field, Biology, or a similar field.

Applicants who do not possess the academic requirements as stated, but who have relevant experience, will be considered on an individual basis. A college diploma or university degree is required in all cases.

Strongly Recommended:

• Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) in order to handle firearms in field training sessions
• First Aid Certification
• Both PAL and First Aid Certification are required by week 9 of the program
• Boating Safety Operator Card
• C.P.R. certificate

Health Requirements

The Conflict Management and Avoidance courses require high level aerobic and muscular strength fitness. A reasonable level of physical fitness is required.

Additional Costs

Plan on spending about $1,250.00 for books, supplies, safety equipment and camps.

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Conflict Management and Avoidance I	45.00
Fall Camp	40.00
Fish and Wildlife Enforcement I	75.00
Forensics	45.00
Introduction to Law	15.00
Investigation Techniques I	60.00
Lands & Environmental Law I	45.00
Procedural Law I	75.00
Semester 2
Conflict Management and Avoidance II	45.00
Field Week	40.00
Fish and Wildlife Enforcement II	60.00
Investigation Techniques II	75.00
Lands & Environmental Law II	45.00
Procedural Law II	75.00

Semester 1

Conflict Management and Avoidance I

Course Number: LAWS139

This course provides students with the ability to recognize and deal with situations that may be encountered in law-enforcement situations. The lab portion will provide students with the techniques that will allow them to complete their duties as peace officers in various types of encounters.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Fall Camp

Course Number: APST016

Fall camp provides a continuous period where students are exposed to many field aspects of natural resources law enforcement. Students will develop an awareness of the skills required and move toward a proficiency which enables them to use these skills under actual conditions.

Units: 40.00
Hours: 40.00

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement I

Course Number: LAWS133

This course exposes students to the legislation that regulates the recreational use of fish and wildlife resources, both federal and provincial. Legislation studied includes the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and regulations, Fisheries Act and regulations, and the Migratory Birds Convention Act and regulations. Instruction and practical scenario training will be related to field contact techniques.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Forensics

Course Number: LAWS035

In this course, students learn the fundamentals of field forensics such as collection, preserving, marking, and handling of evidence, crime scene preservation, casting and comparison of shoe-print and ballistic comparisons. Students will also learn fundamentals of crime scene photography..

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introduction to Law

Course Number: LAWS046

This course provides a basic introduction to our legal system. Students are introduced to the evolution and creation of law, the court system in Canada as well as basic legal principles and procedures. It provides a foundation for intensified training in the field of law enforcement.

Units: 15.00
Hours: 15.00

Investigation Techniques I

Course Number: LAWS114

This course introduces students to the concepts of investigation, as well as techniques applied to preliminary, continuing, and follow-up investigations. Basic investigative skills such as observation, note-taking, surveillance, interview techniques, inspection and search will be discussed.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Lands & Environmental Law I

Course Number: LAWS204

This course provides an overview of provincial laws and policies that regulate the use and management of crown lands and waters. Emphasis will be placed on enforcement direction within Ontario's provincial parks and conservation areas.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Procedural Law I

Course Number: LAWS066

This course covers the legal procedures required of a law-enforcement officer for the commencement of legal proceedings. A variety of legal documents are studied, such as informations, summons, and offence notices. Legislation directing procedures includes the Canadian Constitution, Criminal Code, Provincial Offences Act, Canada Evidence Act, and Contraventions Act. Student participation in Investigation Techniques I (LAWS 114) is required as investigations culminate in Procedural Law I mock court. The simple Crown Brief is introduced in this course, along with search and seizure procedures.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Semester 2

Conflict Management and Avoidance II

Course Number: LAWS011

This course is designed to strengthen and highlight students' knowledge of and ability to use self-defence techniques used by officers to defend themselves in various types of field encounters.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Field Week

Course Number: APST050

In this course, students will be provided the opportunity to actively engage in field activities: the techniques of which were taught during the winter semester.

Units: 40.00
Hours: 40.00

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement II

Course Number: LAWS034

This course exposes students to commercial aspects of fish and wildlife activities and methods of encouraging compliance to regulations. More specifically, the course will include instruction in the following areas: licence issuer inspections, commercial fish inspections, trap-line and fur-dealer inspections, and compliance planning considerations.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Investigation Techniques II

Course Number: LAWS132

In this course, techniques and topics used in investigations are studied, including interview techniques, crime scene management, intelligence and link analysis. Students will be required to complete several full investigations using all the skills they have learned, and prepare a case for actual court experience. This course combines with Procedural Law II (LAWS 67) so that students can prosecute their prepared case in moot court.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Lands & Environmental Law II

Course Number: LAWS205

This course deals with regulating the production and discharge of contaminants into the natural environment. Emphasis will be placed on the Environmental Protection Act.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Procedural Law II

Course Number: LAWS067

This course covers procedures relating to court appearance and trials and combines with Investigation Techniques II (LAWS 132) to provide the opportunity for students to prosecute or defend a case and present evidence in a moot court situation. Training on preparation of a Crown Brief will be expanded. Heavy emphasis will be placed on the application of legal procedures and courtroom strategies.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00